Masayume: A Dream Comes True

I enjoyed this intriguing book immensely. The author shares her love of tea, the tea ceremony, a Japanese garden, and her dream of building a unique, original teahouse. In step-by-step detail Carolyn Winkler explains how her dream of having a teahouse became a reality. This is not done in a boring technical way, rather she openly and honestly expresses her heartfelt feelings, ideas, and the trust she put in others. We’re not talking about a “teahouse kit” purchased readymade. The attention to detail is nothing short of amazing. For those individuals with some experience and connection to the World of Cha 茶 this book is inspiring; it is for me. A simple cup of tea, shared in the manner expressed by this wonderful lady overflows with generosity, compassion, and goodwill.

Having the pleasure of enjoying Chado with the Author, Carolyn Winkler, in her Portland tea house; I was delighted to soak in the beautiful images and thoughtful narrative within this book. As much as the sense of shared time, space, and subtle elegance of Chado can be transformed into a book, Carolyn created a wonderful rendition with joy and light. Thank you.

I love this book for several reasons. I enjoyed reading about how Carolyn's tea house Masayume was built with the help of a builder she met in Mexico. Architecturally, her tea house is a unique, beautiful building that includes a spiral roof and driftwood embedded in the walls. I also enjoyed learning about Chado: The Way of Tea and the many Japanese words involved in this ancient practice. This book demonstrates how Japanese Tea Ceremony is an art and meditation in itself and requires careful attention and study. I also appreciated the haiku and photographs in this book. Lastly, I also enjoyed learning about Carolyn's life, The Tale of Genji, and the community that has formed around Masayume. I highly recommend this book. Of note: this book is published by Lulu. If you truly want to support the author, please visit Lulu.com to consider buying the book.